From the private family facility Dawn and Skip, and eventually the three girls, cared for, trained and showed many New England Horsemen’s Council High Point Champions. Besides the above mentioned champions, they also had stars like Kilkenny Show Miser, and Domino. The family has been extremely versatile, winning with three different breeds.
The girls were practically born on horses and all began riding and then showing by the ages of three and four. There was no doubt where these three young ladies were headed in their professional lives, but first there was a matter of an education. Part of the movement that has made the show horse industry better today, they got an education before embarking on a professional career of not just training horses, but teaching lessons and dealing with people.
The oldest of the trio, Deidre graduated in 1993 from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and then set out on her career. She had already worked at Dr. and Mrs. Charles Covino’s Iron Horse Farm, doing an internship with Bill and Maria Knight. Following graduation she went to work for Lawrence Carss, working Hackneys and Saddlebreds with Carss for two and a half years. From there she went to work for Darlene DeBlois at Dar-Col Stables, assisting DeBlois with training and lessons.
During the summer of 1996, Deidre’s sister Deana joined the staff at Dar-Col Stables, also assisting in instruction and training. A ‘96 graduate of Northern Essex Community College, Deana had also served as instructor at Chris and Larry Cassenti’s Chrislar Farm from ‘94-’96.
A big decision was made while sitting around the table for a family dinner sometime in 1996. It was decided that the girls would come back home and High Tail Acres would become a public training and teaching facility. So in January of 1997 High Tail Acres Equestrian Center opened its doors for outside horses and riders.
“We had been working for other people and just decided it was time we did it for ourselves,” said Deidre. “It’s hard work, but a lot of fun. I like the training aspect because the horses don’t talk back as much.”
“We just didn’t want to work for other people anymore,” added Deana. “We all learned a lot, it was time to do this together and for ourselves. I love the teaching. I did it in high school and that’s all I’ve wanted to do. Seeing horse and rider come together is the greatest feeling.”
When the public training barn was still just a dream, the DelTorchio family knew what their mission statement would be. “Our goal is to share our knowledge and experience with you in a family atmosphere.”
That’s exactly what they have built. A facility that revolves around family and learning all the values that come with the equine experience, not just the blue ribbons. They believe in a hands on experience where the young riders and adults help get their horses ready and take part in the care of them. They get to know their horse or pony inside the stall as well as out. The High Tail riders are also great friends in and out of the ring.
Steadily the show string has grown and the quality improved. From giving 60 to 70 lessons a week, the riders have also grown and advanced. Leadline was big when Deidre, Deana, and Darla were growing up and today those three young women are putting champions into the ring from leadline to junior equitation. The performance string has won in everything from open and amateur fine harness to park, show pleasure and country pleasure. And of course, there’s always a nice pony or two.
“I think the biggest challenge when we first started was to get the established trainers to respect you,” said Deidre. “The only way to get that respect was to present good horses and riders and get noticed. During the next 10 years I want people to say we’re one of the barns that have horses and riders they would like to have.”
Deidre is also expanding in the young horse department. She currently has a two-year-old by Great Day’s Came The Son and another by Harlem Globetrotter. These youngsters learn their lessons just like the High Tail Acres riders, with patience and care.
The growth of High Tail Acres has been a source of great pride to Skip and Dawn. Not only has the show ring successes of their clients been a delight, but seeing the girls come full circle now as young adults has given them the biggest thrill.
“Because of the horses we have remained a very close knit family,” explained Dawn. “It think that our daughters, Deidre, now trainer; Deana, now manager and instructor our lesson program; and Darla, who will be entering her senior year at William Woods University in the fall; felt a sense of purpose growing up. They each excelled in school academically as well as in sports and in the concert, marching, and jazz bands. I honestly feel that their individual successes were directly related to their involvement with the horses.
“They each made a conscious decision to pursue and expand their knowledge in regard to horses. To have them at home in the family business is overwhelming, satisfying, and gratifying. We have been able to provide a true family atmosphere at High Tail Acres. We have been blessed with wonderful clients who appreciate our dedication to family. Not all of our clients are involved with showing, but they have one thing in common, they all want what is best for their children and they feel their child’s involvement in horses is a healthy atmosphere for them to grow up in.”
As High Tail Acres moves into the new millennium there are already plans to add on and continue going forward. The family values have proven to be a big selling point.
“We just have a lot of fun,” added Deana. “We have each other to lean on and we can all do anything that needs to be done.”